White Star Line cruises home to take Kerry National

White Star Line made the most of sneaking into the Guinness Kerry National as a reserve to land the big prize at Listowel for Dessie Hughes and Andrew Lynch.

Having needed three to drop out in order to get a run, the nine-year-old was spotted travelling ominously well going down the back straight for the second time.

Once he hit the front all that could stop him were the final two fences and after negotiating those with the minimum of fuss, the 16 to 1 chance was able to coast home in his own time to beat Galway Plate winner Carlingford Lough and Tony McCoy by five lengths.

Muirhead was third and Questions Answered was again placed, this time in fourth. The JP McManus-owned Wise Oscar, another reserve, was gambled into favouritism but never featured.